Davitt Debut!

United manager Tommy Wright hopes that the inclusion of on-loan signing Davitt Walsh in tomorrow's County Antrim shield first round game, will help alleviate the disappointment of United's poor show last Thursday in their first competitive home game, when they were beaten with a late strike by Dungannon Swifts. Swifts it would be fair to say have held the 'Indian sign' over the Sky Blues since their step-up to the senior ranks and even though matches between the two are usually close affairs, the Swifts surely hold the edge in victories. But enough about that, United begin their County Antrim Shield quest at home to Amateur league side Orangefield Old Boys tomorrow night and nothing short of an emphatic victory will appease the Showgrounds faithful. The United manager remained tight-lipped about his selection for tomorrow night's game but did hint that Walsh would be given a run out. Congratulations to United's second string who won their Steel & Sons Cup match away to Carrick Rangers last Friday night, winning on penalties after finishing the 90 minutes tied at 2-2. Even more incredibly they played the last 20 minutes of normal time and all of extra time with 10 men, when Stephen Lowry was carried off with an ankle injury. The reason United finished with 10 men was down to a misunderstanding we are led to believe. It seems that Paudie Hearty failed to show up on time and the Reserve manager, David Dorian contacted Tommy Wright who was en route to the game as to his course of action. The manager, assuming that junior football was under the same rules as the senior game, e.g. five subs, informed him to name Paudie on the bench and when he, Paudie, arrived he would be eligible to play. Unfortunately the juniors are still governed by the old rules, e.g. three subs and when Paudie failed to show it left the Reserves with only 13 players. Both subs had been used when Lowry was injured so the wee United were left to battle it out with 10 men, justice though was done in the end. This case highlights a problem that exists in the I.F.A. set up, namely nothing is ever as 'cut and dried' as it should be, but that is no excuse for United not being aware of the situation, a distinct lack of professionalism on their part yet again. But enough of that, it's all systems go as we set-off in search of that elusive trophy, it looks easy on paper but we do remember what happened last year and we don't want any repeats. So Sky Blues, its time to stand up and be counted, in short, 'let's shag those orangers'!